How to Buy a Replica Car
No doubt about it, there are some truly magnificent cars out there, and they come with a hefty price tag to boot. One potential way around some of the cost is to buy a replica car. There are several ways to buy a replica car, from buying the entire kit to purchasing one fully assembled from an individual hobbyist or from one of the many companies specializing in replica car construction. For this article we'll be looking at buying a replica car that is fully assembled.
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Things You'll Need
- Internet access to replica and kit car forums
- Access to print publications like Auto Trader or Kit Car Magazine
- Funds
- A means of transporting your replica car back home
Instructions
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Research your available options, making sure to check parts availability and cost. There are many places where you can find information about buying replica cars and problems arising from owning a replica car. Make sure you are an informed consumer; know what you want and what you're willing to pay for it.
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Decide which replica car to buy. This decision is a big one; make sure you know exactly what you're looking for, what the average price is for the car and what your state laws are regarding replica or kit cars.
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Research the builder once you've found an available car. Once again, Internet forums can be a good place to find a seller, parts availability and feedback on the builder's reputation. This goes for both individuals and replica car dealers; don't believe the hype on personal or company websites, find customer feedback and see what real people actually have to say.
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Work out the price of the replica car. Many hobbyists' and dealer prices are not set in stone, and they will haggle with you. Remember that some prices are inflated because the seller expects to haggle, so if possible, don't make an offer for the exact asking price. Make an offer, but make a serious offer.
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Define the payment method; many sellers will not accept personal checks, preferring cash in hand, cashier's check (though this is becoming problematic with counterfeiting) or account to account transfers. When doing business with a replica car dealer, ask about financing options; many dealers offer in-house financing, though you may pay more than you really wanted to in the end.
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Pick up your replica car. The method of transporting you car home will depend on the condition of the vehicle, your intentions for the car and your insurance situation. Many insurance companies will cover a new vehicle purchase for 30 days before requiring them to be added to your policy.
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Tips & Warnings
Know what you're looking for. Don't buy something on the spur of the moment. Once in a while this works out, but usually you end up stuck with something you really don't want.
Check the availability of parts for your replica car. No matter how well built a vehicle may be, it will eventually break down. Make sure you can get affordable parts.
Check with your insurance agency to see if they'll even cover it. How you intend to drive the car (daily driver or show car) will often affect the price of the policy.
Research the hobbyist if at all possible. Since you'll be buying a replica car from an individual, try to find out how reliable their work is. Just because it's got nice shiny paint and lots of chrome doesn't mean the engine is put together well. Internet forums can be a great place to find feedback about people; many of the forum users are mechanics themselves and can give you pointers on getting what you want without getting ripped off.
Research your state's laws on replica and kit cars. Make sure the car is able to be titled in your state. The DMV website for your state is good place to start.
